- Area
- Tongariro Forest Conservation Area
- Distance
- 21.2km
- Time
- 3-4hr to hut
- Grade
- Moderate
- Accom.
- Ten Man Hut
- Access
- Whakapapa Bush Road, off SH4 from Owhango
- Map
- BH34
- GPX File
- ten-man-hut (gpx, yo 31 KB)
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The tracks in this area are not signposted or straightforward, so navigation skills are required.
From Owhango, cross the bridge over the Whakapapa River and along the gravel road for 3.5km before turning right into Water Supply Road. Continue south-west along a 4WD clay route (Climo’s Track), skirted by young and vigorous forest which has hidden old tree stumps and reclaimed many of the logging trails.
Take an easy-to-miss left turn 150m before rocky-bottomed Falls Creek, then, after another 2.5km, you reach the start of a well-used track marked by an old tram wheel. Veering right here, it’s only a short distance to the hut.
From the hut, drop down to the stream and up the terrace on the other side. Turning north-east, amble about 1.5 km along Top Track to the start of the Toi Toi Track on the left, descending to, and then following, Mako Stream northwards.
Before long you emerge near a ford onto Dominion Road, part of the 42 Traverse Track.
Turning left, road-bash for 2km past Te Kaha Hill and, just beyond the site of the destroyed bridge over Pepenui Stream, swing south to enter another section of Climo’s Track. It’s then onto the aptly-named Mud Track to where you started.
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